CBS.com: This is your first venture into daytime. Were you looking for a change?
MICHAEL MUHNEY: Again, it came out of thin air. I wasn't looking, it came and tapped me on my shoulder. I think life is about a series of opportunities and you either embrace them or turn the other way and I chose not to turn my back on this one and to see if it’s right for so many different reasons and I am glad that I did make the decision because it’s been a wonderful journey so far.
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CBS.com: Adam’s been causing a lot of havoc in Genoa City, what's it like playing a character like that?
MICHAEL MUHNEY: To be honest as an actor and I like to consider myself an actor's actor, where you really come from the world of Shakespeare and a conservatory. This is the kind of role that you dream of. You get to wreak havoc, you've got the internal struggle and pull from one end of the spectrum, are you like your mother, or then going to your father and that hatred and anger and being a manipulative character at times you find yourself in bed with a lot of trouble in many ways both literally and figuratively. It's a juicy part and it's one that I look forward to playing everyday. I drive into work and I can't wait to get there and see what I'm going to do.
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CBS.com: Do you think viewers will ever be able to trust Adam?
MICHAEL MUHNEY: I think it depends on the viewer and their interpretation of what they see on screen. I think at times they should and at times they shouldn't and I think that is what makes the character to me so very interesting; you have to second guess Adam and you're always on your toes and to me that is great TV. He's unpredictable.
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CBS.com: No one really messes with Victor, and Adam has really fallen into this role. How is it for Adam to constantly one up him?
MICHAEL MUHNEY: I think that when Victor was young he had to earn his way to be the dominate lion of his familial setting and professional world and when you show dominance in your pride and you take over your pride you have to earn it and fight for it. Adam is just fighting for some recognitions, attention, and acceptance from his father and for him to be proud of him and as a result Adam's been involved in some hairy situations. If he's a guy that Victor sees him coming you don't have much of a threat but if you have Adam have the ability to manipulate even the best of them all then you think wow, if he can do that, what else can he do. Adam becomes unpredictable.
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CBS.com: What are the challenges of playing a character that can't see very well?
MICHAEL MUHNEY: It's really challenging because you want to connect with the other person and the main way of doing that is through eye contact so when you don't have that you truly have a handicap both literally and figuratively. Me being issued this handicap I’ve had to deal with those roadblocks and find other ways to connect. Now it's not only a challenge it's a fun game to have to play. For me to come in and have to find ways in a scene to reach out and connect but not to do in the traditional way, I enjoy the challenge but it is just that, a challenge.
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CBS.com: There's a lot of good buzz about your character; do you listen to what the fans and critics say?
MICHAEL MUHNEY: Certainly, I have ears and eyes. I do see it and I do hear it but how much of that do I embrace or take into bed with me? I have to let it go at the end of the day. There will be critics, especially when you play such a controversial polarizing character like I do, you're going to get people saying [hateful things] and with that I have to be encouraged that there are people out there who are emotionally rocked by my character. Then [I think] good, I am doing my job. At the same time the people who are voicing my praises it’s not gone unnoticed and truly nice to hear those things and it inspires me to continue to pushing myself in this medium.
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CBS.com: I heard you rode your bike to the Emmys. Did you really ride it all the way from your house?
MICHAEL MUHNEY: I can never tell. I will tell you this. It was 103 degrees that day and I was wearing a suit and I live about 20 miles away. I couldn't do the whole journey on my bike so I did park at some point and then take out the bike. I did want to be reasonable, couldn't really show up to the awards show drenched in sweat.
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CBS.com: What made you want to do that?
MICHAEL MUHNEY: I got into a conversation with someone about the history of the Emmys and other award shows and the vehicles that people have shown up in, horse and carriage, buses, limo, electric cars and lately hybrid cars and I thought let's think outside the box and be even greener and I thought, how about a bike, that would make a point. So I did some research and that has never been done and I thought okay, I'll be the first no matter how trivial and silly it is and it was a blast.
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CBS.com: I also heard you are a member of Mensa?
MICHAEL MUHNEY: Yes.
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CBS.com: What does it mean to be involved?
MICHAEL MUHNEY: It doesn't mean anything. At the end of the day it's five letters, what are you going to do? It got out there and well now it's out there, oh well.
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CBS.com: Do you still get recognized for your role on Veronica Mars?
MICHAEL MUHNEY: Oh yeah and I am really grateful for those who do recognize me for it because I was a fan of that show as well as someone staring in it and enjoyed the ride. I love hearing what people thought about it- they were three great years I spent doing that.
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CBS.com: I heard you also broke your collarbone. Is it affecting portraying Adam?
MICHAEL MUHNEY: I am on the mend and each day is better than before. The show worked around it and my days feel slightly longer than before because I have a lot of aches and pains. No surgery was required and my doctors wanted me as mobile as possible. So they really encouraged me to move around and so six days into it and I haven't worn the sling since. It still hurts but each day’s a little better.
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CBS.com: Christian LeBlanc also had an injury. Do you guys swap war stories?
MICHAEL MUHNEY: [Laughs] We did as recently as this morning in the makeup room. [He was] telling me about the bolts and I am showing him my collarbone and talking about it and making fun about one another.
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CBS.com: What do you like to do in your free time?
MICHAEL MUHNEY: What free time? What I would like to do if I had free time, I love reading and when I can I’d love to take a nap. But I do love to travel, sorry to be so boring. And I love, love food.
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CBS.com: You must love the Farmer’s Market next to the studio then.
MICHAEL MUHNEY: Yes but with temptation comes trouble. And I need to look good on screen.
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CBS.com: Don't worry just get the bike out!
MICHAEL MUHNEY: Oh good idea. [Laughs]
Interesting article, Sharon. Thanks for posting it. I still wish they'd get rid of him as easily as they found him.
